Annunciator



r Patented Fen- 4, 19 30 J'IDUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STANLEY M. KENERSON, OF SPRING-FIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR TO STANDARD ELECTRIC TIME COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT ANNUNCIATOR Application filed September 13, 1928. Serial No. 305,812.

This invention relates to annunciators, such as used in hospitals, barber shops, etc. to display any one of a series of numbers or other characters, and more particularly to the panel .5 carrying thejnumbers, objects of the invention being to provide a panel which is smooth ,on its outer surface so as not tocollect dust, which displays a number only when a light behind the number is lighted, which displays 10 each number sharply and distinctly when illuminated from the rear, which prevents interference between adjacent lights so that light from a lamp behind one number will not display adjacent numbers, which is simple and economical in construction, which is durable in use and not easily broken, and which is generally superior to annunciator panels as heretofore constructed.

For the purpose of illustration, one concrete embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 7 Fig. -1 is a front elevation of the annunciator Fig. 2, is an enlarged'front elevation ofa part of the annunciator panel, with a portion broken away, and

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the panel. The particular embodiment of the inven- 'tion chosen for the purpose of illustration icom rises a casin havin aface ortion 1 for attachment to a wall by means of screws 2, afdoor 3 hinged to the casing at 4, a panel 5 mounted in the door and carryingthe aforesaid numbers, and a switch 6 for rendering the lights (not shown) inoperative or to i softens the surface of the celluloid. A coating 10 of thin translucent material is applied over the face of the sheet 7 and plugs 9. For hospital use the coating 10 preferably comprises white enamel (or paint) of such thickness as to substantially conceal the openings 8 except when the lamp behind a particular concealed except when illuminated directly from the rear, thereby rendering the signals more legible in a well lighted location. Furthern'iore, light impinging on the rear face of a plug 8 at an angle is largely re flected or obstructed by, the peripheral walls of the'plug opening, whereby each plug is substantially illuminated only by the light individual thereto.

I claim:

' 1. An annunciator panel comprising an opaque plate having openings therethrough in the form of characters, pieces of transparent celluloid fitting in said openings respectively flush with the face of said plate, and a thin coating of enamel over said face which normally presents a uniform unbroken surface, but which is sufficiently translucent sharply to display the characters when the pieces are illuminated from the rear.

2. An annunciator panel comprising an opaque sheet having an opening therethrough defining a character, transparent material in said opening flush with the facing of said plate, and a thin coating of enamel over said facing which normally presents a substantially uniform unbroken surface but which is sufiiciently translucent sharply to display the character when said material is illuminated from the rear.

, Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this fifth day of September, 1928.

STANLEY M. KENERSON. 

